| Neil Mann, owner of the city’s MJM Hair Salon, swam 16 lengths of a 25m pool followed by a gruelling eight-mile cycle and two-mile run.
Neil — a friend of the school’s swimming teacher, Gary Simpson — was prompted to take on the challenge upon hearing the school needed to raise £8000 for specialist IT equipment for its new building.
“I really wanted to do something to help the kids, and one of my clients suggested a triathlon,” said Neil.
“It was pretty intense — I only had eight weeks to train and I’m 38!
“Everyone who sponsored me was really generous though. One of my clients gave over £250.”
However, his fundraising exploits won’t be stopping there.
“I’m hoping to do another triathlon soon because it was such a good feeling finishing. It would be nice if I could raise some more money for the school.”
Gary said the school was “very grateful” to Neil for completing the venture.
He said, “It’s sometimes difficult to get funding, but we’ll now be able to buy interactive whiteboards for our classrooms when we move after the summer.” |
